This cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the EASIEST meal you’ll make all week and is sure to become a new family favorite! Made with rotisserie chicken, this time-saving recipe is perfect for weeknights and is a hit with kids and adults alike! Don’t forget the dinner rolls to serve alongside this delicious dinner!
Looking for more easy casserole recipes? Make sure to try my Cheeseburger Casserole, Cheesy Green Chile Rice Casserole and Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Casserole!
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Casseroles are the perfect weeknight meal and we just happen to LOVE them around here. Our very favorite casserole recipe is this Chicken and Rice Casserole and it’s one of the most-requested meals from both the boys and Chris – they just can’t get enough of it!
I decided to mix it up a bit last night and after spotting the gigantic bag of broccoli in the fridge that I had picked up at Costco over the weekend. I knew a cheesy broccoli version was the way to go – and I was right!
Easy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
I love this casserole recipe because it’s about as easy as dinner can be. You guys, I don’t even use a bowl. I mix it right up in the baking dish. I’m lazy, what can I say?
I’m using mostly store bought ingredients here so dinner comes together super fast. You will need cooked rice but leftover rice works too so use it if you have it.
What Size Baking Dish Do I Need?
Tis casserole recipe would totally fit in a 9×9 or even an 8×8 baking dish but one of our favorite parts of this recipe is the corn flake topping.
We like as much topping as we can get so we use a 9×13 baking dish. It’s amazing! I drizzle a little bit of melted butter right over the cornflakes before throwing it in the oven – heavenly!
Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients
Quickly mix the ingredients together, minus the topping ingredients (corn flakes and butter), add the topping and all you need is 30 minutes in the oven for casserole perfection.
- rotisserie chicken – or any other cooked chicken
- broccoli – see notes in recipe for using frozen broccoli
- minutes in the oven is all you need for casserole perfection.
- cream of chicken soup – any cream soup will work: mushroom, celery, etc. I use the “healthy” version and/or low sodium if I can find it.
- cooked rice – brown or white rice works, just make sure you cook it beforehand
- shredded cheese
- mayonnaise – lots of readers sub in greek yogurt or sour cream or a combination. Just make sure you have a total of half a cup. The greek yogurt is a great way to make this a healthy chicken casserole.
- seasoning – salt and pepper to taste and any other seasoning you like. Garlic powder and onion powder are reader favorites.
- corn flakes
- butter
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Customizations
One of the most delicious ways to customize this casserole is with the topping. Here are some to consider:
- Ritz Crackers – treat this ingredient the same way you would the cornflakes (other crackers works as well). Chicken broccoli rice casserole with ritz crackers is a favorite around here!
- Breadcrumbs – you could use plain or flavored bread crumbs. Mix with 3 tablespoons of butter before sprinkling over the top.
- Cornflakes + Shredded Cheese – use any kind of cheese you like.
- Potato Chips – use your favorite to add flavor and crunch
- French Fried Onions – a reader favorite, this adds both crunch and flavor to the casserole – so good!
- Panko – just make to toss this with plenty of butter and seasoning. Paprika and garlic powder and delicious!
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
This yummy, cheesy casserole is pure comfort food that is perfect for busy weeknights. I used rotisserie chicken in my recipe, but any cooked chicken will work perfectly. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
I think the broccoli and cheese version of this casserole was a huge success with my family and a great variation to our go-to recipe.
I’m looking forward to trying out some new flavor combinations soon!
Can This Casserole Be Made Ahead?
Yes! It sure can!
- Complete the first two steps in the instructions and then add the topping just before you’re ready to bake.
- Let the casserole dish come to room temperature while the oven is preheating and add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
This delicious and easy casserole recipe is one of several that inspired my new book 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals. I love using rotisserie chicken to create meals that my family will love. You’ll find casseroles, bakes, comfort food, soups, sandwiches and more!
I have an entire chapter devoted to meals you can can create in 20 minutes or less and another devoted to recipes with 5 ingredients or less. This cookbook is filled with simple and fast recipes that your whole family will love. Check it out!
Can This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Be Frozen
Yes! This casserole makes a great dish to bring over to new mamas or friends recovering from illness too.
- Since this casserole takes just as long to reheat as it does to cook, I would recommend preparing through the second step in a freezer safe, oven safe baking dish.
- Defrost the casserole for 24 hours in the fridge.
- Then, when you’re ready to bake, let the casserole dish come to room temperature while the oven is preheating and add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
More Easy Casseroles To Try
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Tuna Casserole with Noodles
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Loaded BBQ Pork Potato Casserole
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups of diced rotisserie chicken or any other cooked chicken}
- 2 cups broccoli florets broken down into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can cream of chicken soup can use low-sodium or Healthy Request
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2-3/4 cup crushed corn flakes
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350‡F. Combine all ingredients into a greased 9×13 baking dish. I use a 9×13 because we like extra room for our corn flakes {more crunch!} but this recipe will fit into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish.
- Mix up all the ingredients except corn flakes and butter right in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed corn flakes over the top of the casserole.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until casserole is heated through.
Notes
Using Frozen Broccoli?
I used fresh broccoli but frozen broccoli but can be substituted as long as you thaw it first.Nutrition
Originally published August 21, 2014.
downiegirl says
I needed something quick and easy to make for supper and found this recipe. I had to sub some of the ingredients with what I had on hand. This is what I did ….. I used leftover Smoke Turkey we smoked, I cut into cube size pieces. I also used Cream of Celery Soup and with the mayonnaise and added about a 1/2c milk as I felt it needed for moisture in casserole, I added seasoning salt, greek seasoning and Accent, and Black Pepper to the mixture . I added 1/2 cup cheese on top of casserole than added crushed up Townhouse crackers crumbs and butter on top . This casserole was delicious!!! Will keep this recipe for future times! Thanks for sharing!
Paula says
OMW…. This is now my utmost favorite casserole!!! It’s delicious!!! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Louise says
Good Morning, I’m making this right now… it looks excellent. Should I steam the broccoli florets before adding them to the other ingredients? Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I do not but you absolutely can Louise if you want your broccoli to be extra tender. Enjoy!
Nicole says
Thank you for this recipe! We all loved it. It’s very forgiving and we have changed it a few times and it still turned out great. Tonight, I had to use half mayo and half sour cream and it was still amazing. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It is super flexible! I love the idea of sour cream actually, I bet that was delicious!
Trisha says
Thank you for this recipe, I made it tonight and it was so amazing and easy to make! I’m saving this to my favorites!! It’s so good!!
Traci says
This is one of my new favorites! Made it with mayo, fresh broccoli and Costco’s rotisserie chicken. Didn’t change a thing. Will definitely make it again!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad to hear it Traci – thank you!
Adna says
We do not care for mayo, any other substitution?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sure, Greek yogurt will work and some readers use sour cream.
Jess says
Do you use fresh or frozen broccoli in this? THANKS!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I used fresh but you could absolutely use frozen, just thaw it first!
Rebecca Becker says
This was such an amazing weeknight dinner. Will definitely make again!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Rebecca!
Kasey says
Ditto! This was a great one! Probably in my top 3 all time casserole dishes. My boys loved it!
Martha says
Made this recipe for dinner tonight as I was looking for something quick and easy to make. My 17 y/o son practically ate the whole casserole himself. This is a recipe I will continue to use. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you gave it a try Martha!
Abby says
I’ve made this recipe a few times. I froze it once for a meal prep. We are it a few months later and it was amazing.
Claudelle says
This turned SOOO good, much better than I anticipated 🙂
I kept going back for more – thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s surprisingly yummy isn’t it? Lol! Thanks for your sweet comment!
Sabrina says
This recipe was really good with some tweeking of my own. I doubled the recipe and instead of rotisery chicken I used diced chicken breast, instead of mayo I used sour cream, and I used half cream of chicken soup and half cheddar cheese sauce, (We like it cheesy) and instead of a corn flake topping I topped it off with “French’s” french fried onions. It turned out AMAZING! Thanks for the idea! Will be making this dish for years to come!
Gene Sloan says
I made this and it was an easy to make recipe…. I actually never thought about mixing the ingredients in the baking pan.
I doubled the chicken, and used Chicken breast, cooked and diced. I added 2 cups Tator Tot Crowns. I doubled the Broccoli Florets. I added Knorr Chicken Flavored Rice / Vermicelli, a 2 cup mix and added 2 cups of cooked white rice. The rest of recipe I followed exactly.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sounds super delicious!
Veronika says
This recipe is so great! It’s one of my daughter’s favorites (she’s 5). I use Panko breadcrumbs because that’s what I usually have – and I broil it the last 2-3 minutes until they get nice and toasted. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
My kids love it too! It’s one of my favorite ways to get them to eat broccoli 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Veronika!
Elaine says
Hi Trish, love your recipes. can’t wait to try this recipe. I don’t like mayo, so can I use sour cream or yougert instead.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sour cream would be a great substitute. Thanks Elaine!